gIx BANI) MILLg TEXAS TOPICS

ALL LAT members are urged to -wd1g their Senators and Representatives regarding four lien law bills which the association is supporting. These bills are H.B. 43 by Terral Smith; H.B. 376 by Bush and a companion bill in the Senate, S.B. 619 by Caperton; H.B. 378 by Bush; and H.B. 705 by Don Lee.

The following lien law measures have been introduced at the request of the Association:

H.B. 43 (Terral Smith) changes the waiting period before a lien claimant can recover his attorney's fees and collection costs from an owner. Present law requires a six month wait from the time the lien is filed. The proposed law reduces the time period to 45 days after completion of the original contract or time the lien is filed. Additionally, present law gives the owner the right to recover his attorneys' fee if the unpaid work is performed or materials delivered. This means that the letter must go out almost before the bill is past due. H.B. 705 extends the time period for the notice letter by 30 days.

The first three bills (H.8.43, H.B. 376, and H.B. 378) were referred to the House Judicial Affairs Committee. The Senate companion to H.B. 378 (S.8. 619) has been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee. H.B. 705 was referred to the House Business and Commerce Committee.

We need you to write your Representatives and Senators today concerning these four lien bills. In the weeks ahead we will also be asking you to write abut the aerosol paint and glue bills and, possibly, the construction trust fund legislation. These letters are extremely important to our efforts. They serve to educate legislators on association positions. We simply cannot contact every legislator about every issue. They also may be the deciding factor on a close vote.

/l LL OF US lead busy lives filled with Irnultiple responsibilities, while many of our primary concerns go unattended. We live with the day+oday thinking process of taking care of only our immediate problems. Long-range planning, creative thinking and concern for serious issues just don't happen. Legislative priorities and concerns iue no exception.

Recently 26 lumber leaders from the Mid-America Association took valuable time away from their businesses to travel to Washington, D.C. to represent the industry before Congress. Attending from Arkansas and Oklahoma were Thomas Bryant, Batesville, Ar.; Truman Hall, Little Rock, Ar.; Bill Mayfield, Smack- over, Ar.; Ben Mayo, Bentonville, Ar.; Doyle Roach, Jonesboro, Ar.; John Collins, Ada, Ok.; and Charles White, Crescent, ok.

MLA's delegation, as well as those delegations from other parts of the country, were basically smdl town, independent dealers. No mass merchandisers like Lowe'sor Payless were there to help.Our dealers called on every senator and congressman from Arkansas and Oklahoma, telling them of our industry's @ncerns on the following issues: fringe benefit taxation, proposed elimination of Farmers Home housing programs, restrictions on mortgage intcrest deductions, teminating the mortgage bond program and waste in government.

If those attending learned anything in Washington, it was that more lumber dealers must become politically aware and involved! The world is not predetermined. Results are produced by action. Dealers need to be better informed and more active!

Here is a short quiz to check your political awareness. I would guess four or five "yes" answers as average.

(1) Who are your representatives to the state house and senate?

(2) Who is your state attorney general?

(3) How long are your state representatives' terms of office?

(4) How would you contact your state representative?

(5) Name your city council representatives.

(6) Do Republicans or Democrats control your state house and senate?

(7) How much money do you pay for local and state taxes?

(E) Is there one housing issue you followed closely in 1984?

(9) Do you know how your state representatives voted on one issue in 1984?

(10) What is the next date for a state or local election?

Now consider five action procedures for political responsibility:

(1) Know candidates and issues and vote in every election.

(2) Read about and discuss housing issues.

(3) Write your legislative representative at least once a year.

(4) Contribute to the candidates of your choice.

(5) Consider serving in public office or on a commission.

Together we can be stronger.